Getting on Course with RV Educational Resources

Way back when we were just entertaining the thought of hitting the road in our new RV, we learned everything through the internet. We grabbed bits and pieces from online forums, social media, and blogs. Much of the information was based on opinion or hearsay (especially on social media!) finding out later much inaccuracy.

By the time we took delivery of our 5th wheel toyhauler, our heads were drowning in disorganized, inaccurate, and unreliable information. If we only knew then what we know now, we would have sought a more structured course program to learn what we need to.

For those contemplating this lifestyle or getting ready to hit the road, I’m hoping this blog will save them and other new RVers the frustrations we endured by introducing our sample of some RV Educational Resources.

So, let’s get down to the nitty gritty…

Let’s imagine that you’re shopping for the perfect RV for you and your family. Whether your shopping from a dealership or a private owner, you’ll want to arm yourself with the right questions to ask the salesman or owner and let’s not forget, during your inspection and PDI.

Questions like…

What are the differences between RV types?

How do I negotiate an RV price?

What are my finance options?

How do I insure my RV?

Where to register my RV if I’m not in my home state?

What is a black and gray tank?

What is the difference between a residential refrigerator and propane refrigerator?

What is the proper tire inflation for a fifth wheel vs. travel trailer?

How long will my batteries last if I’m not plugged in?

What essentials do I need to supply my RV?

What clubs or memberships should I belong to?

We’ve put together a compilation of three different courses that are out there taught by people who actually RV who will guide you through from start to finish. They can help you by providing important information and answer questions you may have thus, resulting in happier trails.

First, we introduce you to RV to Freedom…

RV to Freedom is dedicated to help prospective or new RVers learn how to live in an RV. Kerensa & Brandon created the RV to Freedom Facebook Groupas the “friendliest place on the internet to ask questions about RVing and living on the road while learning from and connecting with other RVers”. Within a few months of it’s inception, their group has grown to over 30,000 followers. They also have a blog that offers list of provisions and resources.

We had been following Kerensa & Brandon when they were (and still are) Drive, Dive & Devour on social media.

This summer, we were parked at the same campground in Elkhart, Indiana with Kerensa and Brandon. We instantly connected and networked; learning more about their RV to Freedom course. They are highly committed to helping others put their best foot forward in learning the basics of RVing to more complex issues.

Kerensa and Brandon hit the road in January of 2014 and haven’t looked back since. After years of relocating for their jobs, they decided to go where ‘they’ wanted and take their jobs with them. They loved road trips in the car, camping in their pop-up and then decided that an RV life would be a better choice for them. After a long research and planning period, they left with their two dogs and cat in a 40-ft diesel motorhome. After experiencing life on the road in their ‘big rig’, they opted to travel in a solar-equipped 30-ft Newmar gas motorhome that is more fitting to their own personal needs.

On their website, RV to Freedom, they offer a plethora of information about RV’s and the RVing lifestyle. For a more guided approach, their course highlights how to transition to full-time RVing with ease and success. Through the course, you’ll have the support and knowledge from Kerensa and Brandon along with the RVTF community to assist you.

Next, take a look at RV Success School…

Another RV Education Resource incepted by Marc & Julie Bennett, known in the RV social media community as RV Love.

In January 2017, we met Marc and Julie at the XScapers’ Convergence in Quartzsite, Arizona. In fact, they were our side-door neighbors in the vast Arizona desert. Every morning, we’d wave to them as they were working in the front seat of their motorhome. We met up with them again this past June in Elkhart, Indiana while they were researching RV manufacturers. Since they had not been to Heartland RV’s factory tour yet, we invited them to go along with us. We then met again a week later for some one-on-one mentoring and networking. They, like Brandon and Kerensa, are very RV savy and knowledgeable.

Marc (from Colorado) and Julie (from Australia) sold their Colorado home in 2014 and moved into their motorhome to “Live Love Travel”. Like ours, their motorhome didn’t come equipped with the information needed to become successful RVers. They had to learn it on their own; sifting through others’ blogs, forums, social media and networking. It didn’t take long for this worldly husband-wife team to put together their own set of online courses, cool blogs and YouTube videos that will help prospective and new RVers alike.

In May 2017, Marc & Julie launched their online RV Success School. The school’s online courses are built from a foundation of almost 4 years of intensive research, hands-on experience and a breadth of knowledge – a collaboration of their own, other RVers and industry experts they’ve met along the way.

RVSS courses:

Hit the Road the Right Way in Your RV: Everything from Budgeting and Planning to Logistics and Launch

Choosing the Right RV For You: Essential Education and Guidance for making smart decisions and avoiding costly mistakes.

RVer Success Stories Series 1: Learn from successes, challenges, and incites from other experienced RVers

Our final recommendation, RVers Online University…

This is course is a membership-based course through Escapees. RVers Online University brings Escapees’ well-loved RVers’ Boot Camp into the digital age. RVOU offers instruction on a variety of RV-related topics including driving safety, personal safety, tow hitches and safety, weight management, RV systems, domicile and more; taught by reliable industry experts. Users can take and retake as many lessons as needed, complete knowledge assessments and have direct access to instructors for follow-up questions.

As quoted on their website:

“RVers Online University is Escapees RV Club’s answer to the demand for more RV education. With millions of RVs currently on the road, and more joining every day, it is important for RVers to understand the capabilities and limitations of their rigs. Escapees RV Club, established in 1978, has a long tradition of providing education to the RVing community. RVOU brings Escapees acclaimed RVers’ Boot Camp Online.

You can access RVOU anywhere you have an internet connection. With each registration, you get 3 month access to explore all the content offered by our instructors. We separated each lesson into multiple sections, making it easy to start and stop lessons as needed.”

Lessons come with printable handouts so that users have offline access to key information when needed. Registration costs are affordably priced for 90-day access to all of the course offered through RVOU.

RVers Online University will deliver all of the elements of RVers Boot Campand more!

Basic Systems

Hitch Up

RV Intermediate Systems 1

RV Intermediate Systems 2

Weight Management

Domicile

Gas vs Diesel

Tire Safety

Personal Safety

RV Driving

Fire/Life Safety

Propane Safety

Driving Your RV

Rims & Bearings

Towable RV’s

Motorhome Towing

Water Water Everywhere

12 Volt Side of Life

Easy on the Asphalt

Towing Behind Motorhome

MPG

That’s just a sample of what you can expect before and after hitting the road. There are several other resources and courses out there as well. As a new or prospective RVer, you just need to find the one that best suits you. Whether you’re going solo, with your large family or anything in between, finding the correct information is job one. Each course is helpful, offers sound information, lessons, advice, and how-to’s. The best part is they are all affordable and are easy to understand, less stressful and will make your RVing experience much more pleasant.

If and when you decide to take one of these RV Educational Courses, tell ‘em Always On Liberty sent ya!